Ann Rowe’s Story

At the age of 87, Ann Rowe, a resident at Nightingale House in South London is taking on her first sponsored fun run, an activity she would never have thought possible only five years ago.
The 5km Parallel London fun run in September will be Ann’s first sporting challenge, and taking part in something so adventurous is a huge step for her.
Ann has been working with Nightingale’s physiotherapist Michael Stokes to build up her strength, mobility and movement. When Ann moved to Nightingale House four years ago, she was wheelchair- bound and dependent on the use of manual hoisting equipment to move around. Since then, through weekly physio sessions with Michael, she has shown extraordinary progress and can now walk 40m unaided, get in and out of cars and generally move around a lot better.
It was Ann’s idea to take part in a run, as a platform to fundraise and give something back to Nightingale. She is the first resident in Nightingale’s history to take on such a challenge.
The upcoming race has given Ann a tremendous purpose, providing her with clear goals to focus on.
On the day of the race, Michael will accompany Ann along with his wife and two young children, who will support her every step of the way.
Ann will have a wheelchair for backup, but Michael will assist her to walk sections of the course, intermittently, allowing her to achieve her main aim of crossing the finish line unaided, from where a group of staff from Nightingale will be cheering her on.
Alongside the physio and training preparation, Ann has also found time to raise nearly £7,000 and counting, in aid of her much-loved home to help benefit even more people from the outstanding care she has herself, received.